Maternity Insurance|Maternity Care|Postpartum Care

The experience of bringing new life into the world should be cherished and prenatal exercise can help facilitate this. Sometimes the changes your body goes through can dim the light a bit. The prospect of labor and delivery can also further diminish the experience. The benefits of prenatal exercise during the pregnancy, for labor, delivery and recovery and post-delivery are profound. Good news for expectant mothers who were not active before pregnancy; you too can begin a prenatal exercise program. Regardless of your pre-pregnancy level of activity, it is important to keep safety in the forefront so that exercise will be the catalyst for a joyous pregnancy that it can be. Let's explore some of the factors to consider to get the most out of your prenatal exercise.

The benefits of prenatal exercise range from minor to extreme. On the low end, exercise fosters an overall sense of well being and improved self image. Mid range, you can look forward to relief from pregnancy aches, pains and other discomforts such as nausea, back strain, leg cramps, bloating, etc. On the upper register we have control of pregnancy induced disorders such as hypertension and diabetes. Another tremendous benefit of prenatal exercise is that a fit mother stands a fantastic chance of having a quick, trouble free labor. And you already have a head start on getting back in shape after the baby is born. Oh, and there is much evidence to support the theory that exercise during pregnancy also benefits your baby. Even if you were not a 'fitness buff' before your pregnancy, you can still have a good prenatal exercise experience.

Newly 'fitness aware' expectant mothers should start out slowly. Of course regardless of whether you are newly active or already active you should consult your doctor before beginning any exercise program. Remember to consider any pre-existing conditions which may limit your activity. That said, 15 to 20 minutes a few times a week should be a good start. Every other day, with a 'rest day' on the alternate days is a good idea. An excellent 'organic' exercise to start with is walking. Swimming is also an excellent prenatal exercise which boasts the added benefit of having your 'extra' weight supported by the water. Yoga and low-impact aerobics are also good options. There are some excellent prenatal yoga DVDs out there. To ensure you get the most out of your prenatal exercise experience it is imperative that you keep safety in mind.

The doctor consult is the fist line of defense in staying safe while exercising. It should go without saying (but I'll say it anyway), high risk (extreme) sports are at the top of the 'No-No' list for pregnant women. Biking and jogging should not be started when pregnant although the jury is still out on whether to continue if you were already doing them. Generally the consensus seems to be that they are alright in moderation in the first trimester. Sit-ups, air bicycle and other exercises that require you to lay on your back, if done at all, should also be discontinued after the first trimester. Don't use saunas, hot-tubs, spas or other apparatus designed to alter your body temperature. Wear loose clothing, stay hydrated (lots and lots of water; before, during and after exercise) and don't exercise in heat or humidity. Never exercise to the point of exhaustion. If you can't speak normally while exercising, stop. Take frequent rest breaks and stop immediately if you experience pain especially in your middle (i.e. abdomen and back), fatigue, dizziness or other signs that your exercise is having adverse affects.

Well, I hope I have provided a good starting point of info for you to enjoy exercise during your pregnancy. I wish you a fit and healthy pregnancy, an easy-peasy labor, a smooth sailing recovery and many blessing with the new family member(s).

There is a new trend in our society in which us women are delaying childbirth and waiting longer to start our families. As a result of this fact, an increasing number of women over the age of 35 are now realizing having a baby is not as easy as they thought it would be.

After more than 1 year of trying to conceive, many women find they are dealing with infertility issues and are now seeking professional help and looking to available assisted reproductive technologies. These methods can be extremely costly, invasive, and are not guaranteed to work, although some women have great results.

For others dealing with infertility issues, they prefer to try the more gentle natural route of herbal therapy and healthy diet.

Herbs for infertility have been used by the eastern civilizations for thousands of years. Herbs for infertility address underlying imbalances which are produced by our polluted environment, processed foods, pesticides and unhealthy lifestyles to name a few.

Herbal therapy promotes hormone balance, improves sperm and egg quality, regulates the menstrual cycle, enhances secretions, tones the uterus, nourishes the endometrial lining and maintains a healthy pregnancy.

In the treatment of infertility, herbs are used to promote optimal fertility health.

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM herbal therapy) generally uses combinations of herbs to get optimal results. The combination of different herbs in a fertility formula can be made into teas, pills, powders, or even added to delicious recipes. Herbal therapy combined with fertility foods and healthy lifestyle living has enabled women over the centuries to get pregnant and start the family they've been dreaming of!

Chinese herbs offered to women suffering from infertility include dong quai, chaste tree, damiana, ginseng and hachimijiogan. Keep in mind these herbs are extremely powerful and may be harmful or even fatal if taken in inadequate quantities. A herbalist who has extensive training or a professional who is experienced with herbal therapy should always be consulted.

Many women over 35 experiencing infertility issues have a great success with herbal therapy. They were able to treat their infertility effectively with fewer side effects that result with modern-day fertility drugs.

If you are planning to start a family or increasing your family size, regardless of your age, there is no time like the present to take control of nurturing your body and stimulating your reproductive organs. Herbs for infertility can provide your body with exactly what is needs to make your conceiving and pregnancy safe, natural and fun!

If you're trying to conceive a baby boy, you should know that there are several things that you can do at home to help you accomplish this goal. These things are not that difficult, but they do require planning, patience, a bit of diligence, and the correct tools. Luckily, many of them are things that you will already be doing any way in an attempt to conceive. You'll just be tweaking them a little bit to tip the odds in your favor of having the boy that you want. So, let's get to it.

Timing Your Conception To Occur At The End Of Your Fertility Cycle To Conceive A Boy: Most people know that timing your conception will influence your baby's gender, but not every one understands why. The sperm that produces a male baby and a girl baby are very different from one another. The girl sperm are the slow, poky, but unwavering and hardy warriors, while the boy sperm are very quick, but are also just as quick to burn out and die off, making them much more vulnerable.

So, if you want a boy, timing becomes extremely important. Because, if you are too early, the boy sperm are vulnerable to weakness or dying off if they have to wait for the egg. In the best case scenario, the boy sperm are fresh and ready to go when the egg is released. This is most likely to occur on the day of or the day following ovulation.

Many people are content to guess at this, but don't. Because this step is just too important to ignore. I recommend using saliva ovulation predictors, but urine works too. Find a method that gives you a warning of when ovulation is approaching so that you can be prepared to pounce when the time is right.

Ways To Have Intercourse To Get A Boy Baby: So, we've discussed when to send the boy sperm to the egg, now we'll discuss how to do this and why it's important. Again, remembering that the boy sperm are extremely vulnerable, you want to make their exposure between release and the egg as short and as quick as possible. The best way to do this is to use sexual positions that allow for deep penetration. (Remember to do this on the day of ovulation, or at most on the day after. Even a day early or a day later can make all the difference.)

How (and Why) To Alkalize Your Body (Lowering Your PH And Acidity) To Get A Boy Baby: I've covered when and how to get the boy sperm to the promised land of conception. Now, I'll cover the last, but equally important, step. This is creating an environment that is not going to kill of these guys before they even have a chance. Because the sperm that will give you a son can not thrive for very long if your vaginal PH is too high. Most women will need to lower it, however one way to be sure is to use PH testing strips. This will tell you how alkaline you naturally are and how much you'll need to tweak this before you are ready to conceive a boy.

How do you tweak? There are a few ways. You can go on a low PH or alkalizing diet and / or you can douche with solutions that lower acidity. A friend of mine who has interstitial cystitis (bladder sensitivity) told me that the boy diet was actually pretty close to the low acid diet she is on because the acidic foods irritate her bladder.

The douching part is typically not as bad as you might think either. The solutions are more than baking soda and water, but usually you don't have to do this for too long (especially if you use the diet concurrently) until you are at the optimum level.

Putting It All Together: Hopefully, you can see that none of these steps are too difficult. The key is to methodically address each of them, because doing so will give you the best chance (as high as roughly 94% if you play your cards right) of success. It's really just a matter of having a plan, having the tools, and having the discipline to follow through.

Natural Ways to Get Pregnant Successfully - Seeking the Blessing in Life

Being 35 and pregnant or 40 and pregnant - is it actually possible to experience the bliss of pregnancy, even at the age of 35 and 40? Well, why not? Seeking natural ways answer the question how can you get pregnant successfully.

Getting pregnant is a dream comes true for most women. A blessing in life, pregnancy however does not touch its magical wand over every woman in the world. There are couples in the world aiming to reach out for the blessing, falling out in the midway and there are women who take years to experience the bliss. For most women, familial or professional responsibility takes such a toll in their dream that they are left with the question how can I get pregnant?

Why opt for the Natural Way

The drive of being pregnant often influences women having a tough time conceiving to rely upon medication. Well, you need to know that the medications available in the drugstore is not one of the convincing ways to get pregnant, as it seldom will do any good to you or the baby to come. If experiencing a healthy pregnancy is your wish then, going natural stands the smartest option.

Tips on Getting Pregnant Naturally

One of the most convincing natural ways of experiencing pregnancy signs for women is to develop the right knowledge on being fertile. All that you need to do is welcome a lifestyle change and induce some calculations to be pregnant naturally.

• Lose Weight - obesity in women often blocks their dream of having a baby in life. Lose weight to stay fit and maintaining a healthy body allowing a better cooperation.


• Avoid Stress - a woman who tends to get to bed with lots of stress and lives a depressing life also experiences a slowdown in pregnancy. Reducing stress prepares the body for the change opening the doors to the cause.


• Quit Smoking - women who tend to smoke also fails to experience the bliss of being pregnant, as the nicotine and other toxins hinder the reproduction cycle reducing the possibility.


• Go for Acupuncture - being on acupuncture enhances fertility in a natural way. Though, it is usually less prescribed by doctors, the method is far more benefiting than being on medication.


• Calculate Ovulation Period- being aware of your menstrual cycle helps in better determination of the ovulation period. In case, your menstrual cycle is not regular, you can seek help from ovulation kits and menstrual cycle charts for better prediction. This is important, as the ovulation period is said to be the most productive period that offers an ear to your plight of help me get pregnant.


• Maintain a Good Positioning - to experience the bliss of getting pregnant, it is essential that you give considerable importance to the positioning. the missionary position helps in better interlocking.

Well, the ways of inducing pregnancy in you naturally are multiple. Women, be it at any age need to follow the tips effectively to maximise the opportunity of coming across the symptoms of pregnancy and reaching forward to the blessing in life. To get a better insight on the natural ways, you can consider referring to some highly effective resources focusing upon fertility enhancement tips.

The good news is that there are effective and proven methods to get pregnant even against all odds.

It is that time of year again and every girl wants to look great on holiday, whether that is at home or abroad. Not everyone feels as confident as they should. Wearing swimwear often makes us feel uncomfortable and many women choose to have a suitable cover up to give them added confidence. This can be more true when you are pregnant. You want to celebrate your curves at this special time as well as stay cool comfortable and relaxed.

Here are some tips to help you feel great on holiday, whether you are walking, on the beach or in the pool.

What kind of holiday are you going on? There is a big difference between a sightseeing and beach holidays, means a different wardrobe. For sightseeing holidays, loose adjustable linen trousers or skirts can help keep you cool and can be placed under the bump or grow with your bump. Cool cotton tops that are fitted but not tight are also flattering. Avoid buying summer dresses that are not fitted and just expand to fit your bump. These can be really unflattering and look like you are wearing a tent.

Beach holidays require well fitting maternity swimwear and beach cover.
Maternity swimwear is a good investment every time as it will be more flattering to your new shape as well as give you the support that you need. A good cover-up needs to flatter your curves as well as be cool and comfortable. also try to find fabrics that dry quickly and do not crease, that way you are always sure of feeling great.

Whatever type of clothing you need don't underestimate how jewellery and accessories can really make an outfit. Maternity clothes can be expensive, try investing in a few simple pieces that can be worn for a variety of occasions and fit really well, accessories can then dress up or down the pieces you choose and can still be worn after your baby is born.

Your cat is pregnant and you need to administer proper nutrition and fluids so that she can have a normal and easy labor. The pregnant cat health plan requires a birthing room. A cat usually picks a place away from people and other animals. This place is where the kittens are born and cleaned. A mother may move the kittens to a new area when they are about one to two weeks old. If you do not want this to happen, you may have to pick a place that confines her during labor and nursing.

Proper exercise is needed for the pregnant cat and monitoring of all activities with other pets must be done to prevent miscarriages. The first sign your cat is pregnant is about three weeks after conception, the nibbles appear pink and will be tender. Now is the time to feed a healthy diet that will nutritious the unborn kittens as they grow to term. If the mother cat is healthy, the kittens should be born healthy.

A pregnant cat health plan does not include rabies shots or distemper shots during pregnancy. This can harm the unborn kittens. The only things a vet will do are check for heartbeats and recommend the proper food and maybe some vitamins. A Blood test is done to check the mother's health. By nine weeks, you need to monitor the mother closely as she will deliver anytime.

The pregnant cat will require some help from you, the owner, if complications happen during the birthing process. Try to read up on some simple birthing mishaps that might require your help and learn the proper way to do them in case the need arises. A veterinarian's telephone number should be in place in case something serious happens either to the mother or to the kittens.

Once the mother delivers, she will clean her new kittens and start to nurse them. Keep her litter box clean and supply her with plenty of water and plenty of food during the next six weeks. Pregnant cat health does not require a lot of work as the mother usually does everything. You want to make sure the birthing area is cleaned up after the mother has done the necessary cleaning.

The pregnant cat health does not stop after birth; you must keep the mother in perfect health to care for her kittens. These means checking the nipples from time to time to see if they look healthy and have no problems or sores. The cat must be kept away from other male cats and left to nurture your kittens. Once the kittens start moving around, the mother will be busy trying to control them and eventually, she will get sick of them bothering her. She needs to wean the kittens by about five weeks. This is when you need to supply the kittens with kitten food. The mother will reach them to use the litter box, but in some cases, the mother does not and you will have to train them yourself.

Pregnancy is one of the most amazing experiences you will have in your life. However, it can take an enormous toll on the body. Unsightly stretch marks are just one of the potential effects of pregnancy. While the rewards of pregnancy are incredible, you will require a bit of assistance to keep your body healthy and beautiful afterwards. This is where pregnancy skincare products from Clarins enter the picture. These products offer amazing advantages to you, helping to ensure that your body is as beautiful after pregnancy as it was before you gave birth.

How can Clarins offer these benefits? What products are available to you? How do you find them? To answer the last question first, you will need to find a high quality retailer that gives you access to the full line of products. The number of powerful solutions to your skincare needs during this marvelous time is simply amazing and can be a bit overwhelming. However, with the right retailer on your side, you will be able to make better sense of the options you have and determine which Clarins products will be right for your needs. What does this company offer you?

You will find Clarins body shaping cream, which helps eliminate stubborn fatty deposits and ensure that rough skin is smoothed and conditioned. It also makes an excellent massage solution, as well. Clarins smoothing body scrub is another powerful solution to your skincare needs during and after pregnancy. Created with the aid of bamboo, this scrub is gentle on the skin but helps to exfoliate and smooth your skin to an incredible degree. Clarins bust beauty extra lift gel is able to help ensure your skin remains firm and toned, without sagging or slackness and can help you maintain the figure you want.

As you can see, Clarins offers a tremendous range of products to help you maintain the skin tone, figure and physique that you crave. All products are created with a fusion of natural plant extracts and beneficial scientific formulation, which ensures they are safe to use during and after pregnancy. Of course, there are many other Clarins products available, both for pregnancy and for general use. Finding the right products is a simple matter when you find the best retailer. This solution will ensure that you have the information you need about each product to make an informed decision and attain the look you want.

Yes, you can get pregnant. Even if you have experienced the heartbreak of having difficulty getting pregnant you can still have hope. Every woman wants to experience the joys of motherhood but unfortunately for some woman conceiving a child does not come as easy as it does for others. But take heart, you can conceive the baby you have always wanted.

Even if you have experienced miscarriages, are in your 30's or 40's, or if you think you have tried everything; try these four easy tips to increase your chances of conceiving your own baby.

Pregnancy Tip #1-Know When You are Ovulating

So every woman who is trying to get pregnant knows this one but it definitely bears repeating, know your cycles! Make sure you know exactly when you are ovulating and make sure you are sexually active at this time. This is the single most important step in getting pregnant.

Pregnancy Tip #2-Use the Right Positions

Ok, so you are ovulating and it is time to get intimate with your partner. Make sure you are using the correct sexual position to increase the chances of conception. The missionary position is the best to help you reach your goal. It allows for the greatest penetration and allows gravity to move the sperm to its ultimate destination.

Pregnancy Tip #3-Be a Health Nut

Following a healthy lifestyle during pregnancy increases your chance of conceiving. If you smoke, quit now! Avoid drinking alcohol and eat a healthy diet. Not only will it help you to get pregnant it will also to help your baby be healthy when you do get pregnant.

Pregnancy tip #4-Try Natural Methods to Conceive

Many women feel they have to turn to fertility medications if all else fails. This can be scary to a lot of women who do not want to run the risk of having multiple children. The truth is there are many natural methods that can greatly increase your chances of getting pregnant without the risks of medications. You can get pregnant using natural methods without running the risk of becoming the next "Octomom."

The majority of women have to deal with pregnancy related nausea, usually in their first trimester. Though many pregnant women cannot escape this terrible nauseous feeling, many face the suffering bravely and just grin and bear it.

If you are suffering from nausea related to your pregnancy all is not lost, you can easily learn some natural and inexpensive remedies.

All remedies are not guaranteed to solve the problem for all women, but trying some of the different options and finding out what works for you will not harm you. For a start, you should try and stay away from foods or odors that set off your reflex gag. You should also choose to eat bland food over hot foods because they have fewer odors compared to the latter.

You can also try some of the more traditional housewife cures handed down over time, like eating crackers for instance. A large number of women like to consume carbohydrates or eat something they like when they feel nauseated. Try Placing some crackers next to your bed and have a few bites before getting up in the morning.

Eating small frequent meals and sipping liquids regularly for the entire day prevents your stomach from becoming empty and helps prevent the sickness feeling.

You must always take care to drink enough liquids during your day. Drink a quart and a half of fluids a day, but be careful not to make your stomach become less hungry for food. When vomiting persists, drink sports drinks that have glucose, salt, and potassium in them to restore the lost electrolytes.

Some Eastern and Western medical practitioners suggest acupressure to relieve nausea. This procedure is done by stimulating the pressure point located two inches above the crease on the inner part of the wrist. As a substitute to acupressure, you can buy bands that are available in pharmacies and marine stores, even without doctor's prescription. The bands have a button that pushes the vomiting-sensitive pressure point on one or both wrists.

Other health care providers recommend a device that uses mild electric current to stimulate your inner wrist. Ginger is also a great option to make your stomach feel calm. You can drink commercial ginger ale or make your own ginger tea by grating fresh ginger into hot water. Before you take powdered ginger root supplements, consult your health care provider first.

Pregnancy nausea can be minimized by staying relaxed and stress-free. Spend some of your time taking naps and watching television shows or movies. Take your vitamins after having a full meal or before going to bed. Ask your health-care provider for vitamins with less iron content because iron sometimes affects your digestive system.

Are there any signs or symptoms of pregnancy that can help to detect pregnancy even before missing the periods? Yes there are. If you are also in search of some early pregnancy signs that can help you to detect conception before lab test or before missing the periods then following reading would be of great help to you.

There are few pregnancy symptoms that start to show in early days. Few women only show one or two signs of pregnancy whereas others show all 5 signs.

The fertilized egg takes around 7 - 10 days for implanting itself in the wall of uterus. After this time span there are top 5 signs of pregnancy that helps in informing the woman that finally she is pregnant.

Without delaying any further let us proceed!

Frequent Urination: This is a classic pregnancy sign. Sometimes frequent urination is the result of some other illness like diabetes or the reaction of some medication. However it is always good to keep in mind pregnancy as the probable cause.

Spotting: Spotting is of great concern if it occurs in late pregnancy and it is important to report this to doctor at the earliest. However light spotting around the days of menstrual periods signals pregnancy. Light spotting in initial days is a true sign of pregnancy. The color of pregnancy spotting varies from reddish brown to light pink.

Missed Menstrual Periods: It is the most famous sign of pregnancy. It is the clearest indicator of pregnancy; however sometimes a woman can miss her period because of some reason other than pregnancy. So it is good to think missed period only as an indicator and not the final diagnosis of pregnancy.

Intense Cramping: Another famous and next obvious sign of pregnancy is intense cramping. Again here there could be causes of intense cramping other than pregnancy. In fact intense cramping and nausea are the most misleading signs of pregnancy as well. There is not any rule of thumb that can tell that a woman is pregnant. The only rule that holds true is that more signs of pregnancy signal brighter chances of being pregnant.

Lack of energy: This pregnancy symptom is knitted with pregnancy. Exhaustion feelings are different from routine feelings of being tired. The key to identify pregnancy related tiredness is that in this case the lack of energy is dramatic as well as noticeable.

So if you are experiencing more than one above mentioned signs of pregnancy then it is a good time to go for a pregnancy test

Pregnancy yoga uses poses that contribute to a healthy pregnancy and delivery, and provides health benefits for a pregnant mother and her baby during these physically demanding months. Prenatal yoga, another term used for pregnancy yoga, involves light stretching into poses that help increase flexibility, reduce tension, and relieve pain. It also strengthens muscles used for delivery and may lead to a better night's sleep. Prenatal yoga is simple to practice in the comfort of your own home, and is a safe, low-impact method of exercise.

Stress Reliever

Stress can be detrimental to the health of a developing fetus. The body produces hormones in response to stress. These hormones, such as cortisol, may reach the brain of a fetus and alter neurotransmitter activity. Researchers have found that this may increase the risk of attention deficit disorder, personality problems, and depression.

Exercise has been shown to help reduce stress, both during and after pregnancy. Practicing prenatal yoga for exercise during pregnancy offers the added benefit of focusing on the breath while quieting the mind. This promotes relaxation, relieves stress, and has been proven to effectively reduce blood pressure.

Sleep Enhancer

A California study found that women in their second trimester who begin a mindfulness-based yoga program--one that incorporates meditation with yoga poses--experience fewer awakenings during the night. Also, researchers in India found that after three months of prenatal yoga practice, pregnant women have elevated levels of melatonin. Melatonin is a hormone that helps control sleep cycles and improve feelings of well-being.

Baby Builder

Prenatal Yoga has been shown to contribute to a healthy birth weight. According to The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, it may also help to avoid delayed fetal growth. A study at Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences found that regular yoga practice can improve a baby's heart health.

Exercise increases circulation, which delivers more oxygen to internal organs. For a pregnant woman, this means her baby is getting more oxygen, too.

Pain Reducer

A study that was published in the journal Midwifery found that women who participated in a prenatal yoga program reported fewer aches and pains than those who did not participate. Yoga also seemed to help them handle the pains of labor and delivery more effectively.

Many of the postures performed in prenatal yoga gently loosen the pelvic muscles in preparation for birth. This also helps relieve the tension and soreness that occurs as a result of weight gain and added pressure to the pelvic area.

Every woman has her reasons for prolonging pregnancy and having children such as one's career or lack of finances to raise a child, but for those who are still aiming to have children, it would be best to start preparing for pregnancy before it becomes much too difficult to conceive already. Most doctors would suggest getting pregnant at an earlier age at most because there is a higher chance that the pregnancy will be healthier and with less risks of having miscarriages and chromosomal abnormalities. What is more, if a woman starts child bearing early, she will be able to bear as many children as she wants depending on her and her husband's family plans.

Preparing for pregnancy not only involves the physical but also the financial, mental, and emotional aspects that go with it, so to be able to equip yourself for this big journey, here are some tips to help you get started:

1. If you want to increase your chances of getting pregnant, the first thing that you have to do is to change whatever it is in your diet that is preventing you from conceiving. Start eating fruits and vegetables as well as cutting down on alcohol and smoking so that your reproductive system will continuously function well and your chances of conceiving remain relatively high.

2. If you have been skipping meals due to your active lifestyle, you may have to cut down and start eating regular meals everyday to feed your body with the necessary nutrients needed to bear a child. Folic acid and iron are some examples of nutrients that your body will need to increase its chances of conceiving.

3. As mentioned previously, if you want to increase your chances of conceiving and not let your efforts in preparing for pregnancy go to waste, you have to cut down on smoking, alcohol, and drugs. This will not only affect your chances of having a baby but will also affect the actual development of the fetus if you were able to conceive.

4. Always visit your doctor and have yourself checked for possible diseases, health problems, and even infections that could affect you and your baby once pregnant.

Belly band support garments are, as the name would imply, bands of flexible material that are used to support a pregnant woman's belly. In addition, they provide lower back support and relieve pain and pressure by redistributing uneven weight. They also help with balance and posture, a great benefit for those women who find it difficult to get around, especially during late pregnancy. Currently, they can found in a number of colors and patterns, so they can be used in conjunction with other stylish maternity clothing or even pre-pregnancy garments.

Many women end up purchasing multiple belly support bands due to their low cost and versatile uses. The average band costs around $20 or so, but can sometimes be found on sale for less. Also, because the material is so durable, they may borrow or be given used bands from friends and relatives. And since many women find it useful to wear their bands on the outside of clothing, having several in different colors is handy to coordinate with existing outfits. For example, if a woman wants to wear a blouse that has grown increasingly short due to her expanding belly, she can wear a band beneath it for coverage and control. She can chose a color that compliments or contrasts her outfit, depending on whether she feels like being subtle or vibrant.

There is also other belly support clothing available, such as skirts, leggings, and blouses. They can be worn with the belly band for extra comfort and control, or alone if desired. They are usually made of the same materials as belly bands, making use of soft, flexible fabric blends such as cotton or nylon mixed with spandex or Lycra. All clothing is meant to stretch and conform to the woman's body as she grows.

Over the last few years, belly support garments have become very popular among pregnant women of all ages and sizes, due to their comfort and multiple functions before and after pregnancy. After pregnancy? Yes! One of the great benefits of these bands is that they can be worn postpartum, as belts to hold up maternity pants, or as tops to provide extra coverage during nursing. And because they are conforming, the correct size will also render light control over the weeks or months that it takes the woman to transition back to her pre-pregnancy figure. Belly band support clothing has quickly become a staple of pregnant women's wardrobes everywhere.

Rib pain during pregnancy can be a persistent problem, especially during the third trimester. Your rib cage may feel mildly sore or extremely tender and bruised. You may have discomfort on either side, or both sides, though it is commonly worse on the right side of the ribs. Pain occurs in and under the ribs as your uterus grows. Later in pregnancy, your abdomen becomes stretched, and your uterus stretches upward as well as outward. Your pelvis and abdomen are becoming full, and your baby is beginning to press up under your ribs and chest. This upward pressure from your baby may also make you feel short of breath. This pressure on your ribs and diaphragm may also result in shoulder pain, because there are nerves in the diaphragm which can refer pain into the shoulders.

This pain can be very sharp! It may also result in indigestion or acid reflux as your baby puts the squeeze on your stomach. Additionally, as your breast become larger, they also place pressure on your ribs. During pregnancy, your breasts may increase by one full cup size or more. The extra weight pulls your shoulders forward and down, and places strain on the upper back, neck, and often results in pain around the rib cage. As your body prepares for the delivery of your baby, your hormones are hard at work loosening your muscles and ligaments. This loosening can allow your ribs to shift and move in ways that were not natural before, causing discomfort. Your ribcage is not only loosening, but expanding as well, not only to make room for your baby, but also to help increase your breathing and lung capacity. Even though you may be feeling short of breath, your body is taking in about forty percent more air than it did before you became pregnant.

Rib pain during pregnancy can cause the greatest discomfort when you are in a sitting position. Practicing good posture is especially important. Try to make sure that you sit up straight with your shoulders back. Slouching will compress your abdomen and result in more pain. Try to wear loose clothing so that you do not add any extra pressure to your belly. Try getting a new bra. It is especially important to have a supportive bra that is not too tight. Under wire bras may put too much extra pressure on your ribs. Now may be a good time to invest in a good nursing bra. They usually offer nice support without being too tight and will be useful once your baby is born. Holding your arms up over your head can take some pressure off and provide temporary relief from rib pain by lifting the ribs away from the uterus. Practicing doorway chest stretches can also be helpful because they, too, will help rotate the shoulders up and back, which can also help lift the ribs away from the uterus.

Stretching and prenatal yoga are great for keeping your body long and loose. The less compressed you are, the less your rib cage will hurt. Breathing and relaxation exercises may also be effective. There are a variety of hands on techniques that can help to gently stretch and lift your ribs away from the uterus. Applying these techniques to your breasts, chest and abdomen, can really relieve a lot of pain and pressure from your body, though you will need a friend or partner to help you. Scheduling a visit to your massage therapist, chiropractor, or acupuncturist, may also help provide relief from rib pain during pregnancy. If you are having rib and flank pain that goes through to your back, and or burning or pain with urination, you should contact your health care provider. This could be an indication of a urinary tract infection.

If you have been trying to get pregnant for a long time (or what seems like a long time), you are probably ready to run to a doctor crying, "Help me get pregnant!" Although a checkup with your regular doctor is always the first thing you should do when you are trying to get pregnant, there are simple things you can do right in the comfort of your own home - things that can make getting pregnant much easier and more natural.

Ensure you are in Good Health

Every day doctors see frantic females that are having difficulty getting pregnant. They are very familiar with women asking for help conceiving. One of the first things your doctor will do is give you a routine checkup to ensure that you are in good health, which is extremely important if you want to have a healthy pregnancy.

Once your checkup is out of the way, you will be given advice to relax and just let it happen. Sound frustrating? It is for many women. While relaxation is very important in your goal of becoming a mother, there are things you can do and use that will increase your chances of becoming pregnant.

As calculating as this may sound, time your sex so it is during your most fertile time. There are simple tests you can do to determine when you are ovulating. The best time to have sex is when you are ovulating.

Think Positive

Use mind control. Unbelievably, positive thinking really can make a difference in every part of your life, even with getting pregnant. When you are in a positive frame of mind your body will relax. Being relaxed can make it easier to conceive.

Take Care of Yourself

If you smoke, drink or do drugs, now is definitely the time to stop. All of these things can actually prevent you from getting pregnant. In the case that you would still get pregnant, you are putting your health and the health of your unborn child at risk by continuing to put these unhealthy things in your body.

Maintain a good weight. One of the first things doctors do when they hear the plea, "help me get pregnant" is to make sure the woman is in good physical condition and this starts with maintaining good weight.

Endometriosis and pregnancy are two inter-related health conditions that millions of women of child bearing age struggle with every year. The simple fact is endometriosis can and will make conceiving a child more difficult in most instances. This does not mean a woman cannot get pregnant but it can throw a monkey wrench in the process.

Exactly how endometriosis affects a woman's chance at pregnancy is not fully known but studies that have been conducted into the issue show that she is less likely to conceive then a woman who does not suffer from this disease. These studies have shown that about twenty percent of women with endometriosis will be unable to conceive and that of all infertile women twenty one to forty four percent have this disease.

What isn't known is why endometriosis affects a woman's ability to conceive a child. Is it the endometriosis itself or is there something else at work in conjunction with it. It does not mean that a woman cannot successfully conceive a child and carry it to term.

The path to getting pregnant for women with endometriosis varies. Many women get pregnant naturally without any outside medical help. For women who are struggling with endometriosis and pregnancy it is important that they talk with their doctor /gynecologist about medical interventions that may help increase their chances of conceiving a child.

Women with endometriosis who are trying to get pregnant naturally may increase their odds if they consider the following:

1. Get started early in life - Studies have shown that women in their twenties are more likely to get pregnant then women in their thirties and older. Since endometriosis is shown to interfere with a woman's fertility it is surmised that it will continue to make conceiving harder the older she gets.

2. Get healthy - Many women have success in managing their condition when eating an endometriosis diet. A healthy diet, combined with regular exercise, can help minimize the effects of endometrial growths and provides her body with the necessary nutrients to successfully nourish an embryo.

If after a period of six months to a year a woman has still not gotten pregnant naturally she can turn to her gynecologist or infertility specialist for help. There are several treatment or procedure options available to help increase the chance for a successful pregnancy.

1. Laparoscopic endometriosis surgery - This minimally invasive surgical procedure is done to not only definitively diagnose endometriosis but also to excise and remove endometrial growths from the abdominal organs. This type of surgery is not a cure but it can provide a window in which a woman can successfully conceive. Studies do indicate that laparoscopic surgery can increase the likely hood of a successful pregnancy.

2. Fertility drugs - The use of drugs such as Clomid and Serophene can help stimulate ovulation in women who are having difficulty conceiving.

3. In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) - IVF is an assisted reproductive technique that has shown good results in women with endometriosis and pregnancy issues. It should be noted that the success rate of IVF for women with endometriosis is about half that of other women with infertility issues. A newer technique called intracytoplasmatic sperm injection seems to garner higher success rates with studies showing that success rates are equal among women with the disease and those without.

There are risk factors for pregnant women with endometriosis that can lead to serious complications during their pregnancy. A recent study by medical researchers in Sweden found that women with endometriosis are at a higher risk for the following:

1. Premature Birth -Women with endometriosis are at higher risk for having their baby's preterm. They also found that women who also underwent IVF procedures to become pregnant were at an even greater risk for preterm birth then women who did not.

2. Preeclampsia - This is high blood pressure that develops in pregnant women during their second and third trimester. Women with endometriosis are at a higher risk for developing this dangerous condition that also includes protein in their urine and an increased risk for post birth.

3. Caesarean Section - In the study it was found that almost twice as many women with endometriosis had their babies delivered via C-section. It was also discovered that these women had a higher incidence of induced premature birth then spontaneous premature birth. The exact why of this is not known but the researchers conducting the study have theorized that complications with the placenta may be at the root of it.

It is estimated that over 9 million women worldwide suffer from endometriosis. Every year a good percentage of these women get pregnant and deliver healthy babies. With the proper medical support and care it is possible to beat the odds that this disease presents. Just remember that endometriosis and pregnancy are not mutually exclusive.

OK, all you new mommies... time to wake up! Are you tired of having no energy since you've had your bundle of joy? Newborns definitely keep you busy, busy, busy, not to mention waking you up in the night fairly often, especially in the beginning. I remember feeling almost zombie-like some days when my girls were newborns. Well, eating the right kind of foods will help you out with that. So, what foods give you energy post pregnancy you ask? Let's discuss:

1. Whole Grains. Starting your morning with a bowl of whole grain cereal (hot or cold), is going to give you a nice energy boost to start your day. Eating whole grain foods in general is a good habit to stick to when you want to keep your energy up. They are rich in fiber, vitamins and minerals. They will not only help keep your energy going, but they'll also help you feel full for longer periods of time, help keep you regular (this is a great thing for new moms as constipation can be a problem for many), help protect against things like heart disease, certain types of cancer and type 2 diabetes. Some examples of whole grain foods are: whole wheat pasta, brown rice, whole wheat crackers, whole grain bread, oatmeal and whole grain cereal.

2. Legumes. When wondering what foods give you energy post pregnancy, legumes are great... and inexpensive! They are packed with folic acid, iron and magnesium. They are also low in fat and high in protein and fiber. Some legume examples are: red kidney beans, lima beans, chickpeas, black beans, lentils, soybeans, green beans, green peas and snow peas. Add them to chili, salsa, salads!

3. Blueberries. These little low calorie morsels are a great source of fiber and contain iron as well as vitamins B, C and E to give you an energy boost! They also contain anthocyanins, which is the pigment that gives the blueberry it's blue colouring, which may help to prevent cancer, heart disease and memory loss. Some suggest that they also help eye sight. Another interesting study from the University of Michigan Cardiovascular Center suggests that blueberries may help to reduce belly fat (great news for new moms trying to lose a baby belly!).

4. Eggs. Eggs contain 5-6 grams of protein which is going to give you energy and as well as help to keep you feeling full longer. They have been shown to be great for weight management which is going to be great for you if you are attempting to lose post pregnancy weight. A large egg contains only 5 grams of fat and 70 calories. When considering what foods give you energy, it is best to eat the whole egg (yolks and all!) to get the full effect of its energy potential. Eggs also contain choline, which is great for brain function and development. They also contain nutrients such as folate, iron, zinc, and vitamins A, B12, D, and E.

5. Hummus. Hummus is a dip with chickpeas as the main ingredient. It is a great source of fiber, protein, iron and vitamin C. Use it as a dip for veggies such as carrots or whole grain crackers or whole pita slices.

6. Vitamin C. Eating foods rich in vitamin C are great for keeping your energy levels up. Some examples are papayas, strawberries, kiwi fruit, apples, oranges, bell peppers, broccoli and pineapple.

7. Trail Mix. When thinking about what foods give you energy post pregnancy, trail mix is an excellent choice! You can combine ingredients like dried fruit, nuts, seeds and whole grain and/or high fiber cereals. Your boost of energy will come from the carbohydrates in the dried fruit and you get sustained energy from the protein and mono and polyunsaturated fats in the nuts. You also get a good dose of fiber with trail mix. Some examples can be: dried fruit (cranberries, apricots, raisins), nuts (almonds, pistachios, peanuts), seeds (pumpkin, sunflower) and cereals (Multigrain Cheerios, Frosted Mini Wheats Bite Size).

Basically, you want to stick to complex carbohydrates and foods that contain protein and/or iron and vitamins and minerals when needing to know what foods give you energy. Here are some examples:

Complex Carbohydrates - brown rice, whole wheat pasta, vegetables, fresh/dried fruits, whole grain breads/cereals, etc.

Protein - milk, cheese, yogurt, eggs, chicken, fish, beef, tofu, legumes, etc.

Iron - soy products, red meat (lean), spinach, figs, etc.

Dealing with both heartburn and pregnancy at the same time can be a very bad experience. Over eating is one of the main causes of heartburn during pregnancy. However, when you're pregnant your hormones may have a lot more to do with it.

Even though you can try using medications to help deal with this problem, you can do a lot of little things to ease heartburn during pregnancy. One of the things you must do to help ease the pain and symptoms is watch what you eat.

You should stay away from spicy and acidic foods, or foods that contain a lot of garlic. Avoiding these food items will help lessen the severity of the condition. However, you must know that the growing baby has a lot to do with the severity and frequency of this condition.

While the baby is growing it will put a lot of internal pressure on the stomach causing stomach acid to push up toward the esophagus, which creates the unpleasant burning sensation. So eating the right foods is important to reduce the severity of this as much as possible.

To help lessen heartburn during pregnancy you should also eat small quantities of food. Making the switch from eating larger meals to eating smaller meals will help you to better deal with the added pressure on the stomach caused by the growing baby. The smaller portions of food you're eating will be less likely to get pushed up toward the esophagus and cause heartburn.

Finally, to help with heartburn during pregnancy you should put your feet up when you're resting or sleeping. To help get rid of heartburn pains you should try not to lay down right after you're finished eating. Doing these simple things will help you to safely alleviate heartburn while your pregnant.

The period of pregnancy is one of vacillating emotions like tears and laughter, change in physical appearance, encountering unexpected health challenges and so on. But all of it seems worthwhile to you since you are eagerly awaiting the arrival of your child! Of course, you can expect to deliver a healthy baby only if you strictly adhere to a balanced and nutritious diet. Now that seems rather a difficult thing to do without guidance, isn't it? Well, just enroll yourself in an online program where free pregnancy diet plans are offered!

It has become imperative for expectant mothers to look towards various sources of help where a pregnancy diet is concerned, since environmental challenges are increasing day by day. If you should go back to earlier times, food was brought straight from the fields to the dining table, ensuring that it was free of any toxins or chemicals.

Today, more and more people are opting for tinned and canned foods as they are too busy rushing here and there to find time to cook proper meals! Packaged food contains preservatives to make sure that it stays fresh and can be stored for longer periods. Therefore, to assure yourself of chemical-free and healthy meals, go in for the free pregnancy diet plans!

Were you consuming nutritious meals even before your pregnancy? Then the changes to be made in your diet will be minimal. In case you constitute one among the vast majority of pregnant women who have never bothered about health earlier, then you need to go in for drastic changes in your dietary plans! The free pregnancy diet plans offered on the Net provide oodles of information as well as certain dietary tools that regularly monitor what you eat.

The free pregnancy diet plans include- updated information about nutrition obtained from experts in the medical field, well-planned menus, tasty recipes, and the latest research sheets related to pregnancy diets. You are also made aware of vitamins which are vital for your baby's health, as well as updated about essential minerals like folic acid, iron and calcium. The best part is that different diets are matched with the different stages of pregnancy!

Other benefits provided on these web sites that concentrate on free pregnancy diet plans, include articles on varied topics, such as-how to prevent yourself from snacking too much and putting on excess weight, how to get relief from specific symptoms via proper nutrition, recommendations regarding inclusion of vitamins in your diet and so on. There are even answers to specific questions provided.

The dietary trackers consist of-trimester calendars, worksheets to help track diet plans, food trackers, weight gain trackers, and calorie counters.

Oh yes, if you have a sweet tooth, you could go in for a dessert or sweets just once in a while. But do not overdo it! The baby's health should count as your first priority.

So do not hesitate to turn to the online free pregnancy diet plans for help whenever you need it. After all, your baby's well-being is entirely dependent on how healthy you are. Therefore, diet should not become a cause of stress.

The announcement of pregnancy often heralds joy and anxiety. The fun of having additions to the family is worth looking forward to. During the course of pregnancy, a lot of hormonal changes occur in the woman's body. Therefore, a lot of understanding is required from the man to manage the pregnancy process.

Many expectant fathers mistakenly believe that their role in their child's life doesn't begin or matter until the baby is about two years old, walking, talking or can play interactively.NO! Indeed, the father-child bond begins the moment you learn your partner is pregnant and only increases in importance and impact when the baby is born.

The bond between mother and child is very natural and divine. There is nothing as pleasurable as feeling the twist and kick of the baby inside of you. The man on the other hand can only imagine but could take extra effort to get involved in his partner's pregnancy process through the following means:

1. Arouse your curiosity.Learn as much as possible before the baby arrives - attend prenatal appointments and childbirth classes, read books, and watch movies. Be proactive in your self-education.


2. Exercise during pregnancy. Walk or swim together. Both are safe exercises and provide time together.Be sure your partner gets enough rest.Encourage her to use relaxation exercises and join in. Stress can be very harmful to both mother and baby.


3. Discuss any anxiety, concerns, fears, or apprehensions about fatherhood you have with your partner. She will most likely appreciate your honesty and willingness to communicate and share your feelings, and together you can work through your anxiety.


4. Tell your wife to inform you whenever the baby kicks. Place your hand on her tummy and you would have a first hand experience of life in the womb.Place your hear to the tummy and you'd feel the breathing. Its an exciting way to feel.


5. Communicate with the unborn. Its a very good way to bond. Learn to sing with the baby in the womb. Discuss with the baby, express your feelings, how the entire family is waiting to have him/her around, how important the baby is to the family and every other positive things you can imagine. It helps to have a happy baby. Direct positive thoughts and loving feelings to your unborn child. Visualize yourself holding, touching, rocking, or talking to your child. Think about the kind of father you want to be to your child.


6. Help your partner stay healthy during pregnancy. Help her eat many different foods. Watch what you eat too. If you eat right, you will make it easier for her. Help your partner stay away from alcohol. Alcohol can cause birth defects. Encourage her to drink juice or milk.


7. Help plan for the baby. Talk with your partner about what you both want for your baby. Discuss likely names, save a little money each week and plan ahead for delivery. It will make it easier once the baby arrives.


8. Avoid arguments and quarrels with your partner at this period so you don't end up with a moody child. Studies show that if your partner is happy, she passes her happiness to the fetus inside. Remember the cord linking them is so strong that it transmits everything to the unborn. Create a warm environment, talk out differences in a supportive way. If you find yourself becoming angry and having difficulty controlling negative feelings, seek out counseling. Never use physical force, intimidation, belittling comments, or other abusive behaviors. These are not productive for any relationship and are especially harmful during pregnancy.


9. The effect of pregnancy differs from one person to the other. Some women could be irritating and dislike a lot of things around them. Some may feel fatigue most times hence domestic chores becomes daunting. At this point, try and offer all assistance you can render to make the process smooth. Show love, care and attention.


10. Find a "New Fathers" support group or talk to other men who have had or are going to have new babies. Share feelings, ideas on supporting the pregnant mom, and tips to make sure you are taking care of yourself.